Sherry Bracken

Hawai'i Island’s Kīlauea Volcano gets a lot of attention with its two spectacular eruption locations. But the island’s dominant active volcano is also under close observation from scientists. We get details from HPR contributing reporter Sherry Bracken.

It's been a dramatic new year so far for one of Hawai'i Island's most spectacular sights. The Kīlauea Volcano has been continuously erupting for 34 years—but there have been some changes since January. As for current conditions, HPR contributing reporter Sherry Bracken got an update from scientists at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.

Big Island State Senator Kai Kahele and State Representative Mark Nakashima have introduced companion bills to provide an economic boost for Hilo’s business community. We have more about the proposals from HPR contributing reporter Sherry Bracken.

Hawai'i Island lost a local giant last week. You could call him a businessman, but that’s just one small piece of the story of someone who made Hilo his home for more than nine decades and help shape the island’s economy. HPR contributing reporter Sherry Bracken has more from the Big Island.

Two years ago, the State Legislature appropriated $90 million dollars to build a new judiciary building in Kona. Now, Hawai‘i State Supreme Court Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald is asking for more funding. He spoke with HPR contributing reporter Sherry Bracken, who has this report.

One of Hawai‘i’s learning centers is near the northeast coast of Hawai‘i Island. The University of Hawai‘i at Hilo offers courses for credit and for lifelong learning at its adjunct location in Honoka‘a. But it’s also home to some remarkable cultural and historical artifacts of North Hawai‘i. HPR contributing reporter Sherry Bracken has more from Hawai‘i Island.

It's been six years since an international flight touched down at the Kona Airport on Hawai'i Island. But that's changing today. In 2010, Japan Airlines ended its service to Kona—but today a local carrier is the first to bring back international business.

For more than 20 years, a special program has connected girls on Hawai‘i Island with math and science. It’s called “Girls Exploring Math and Science.” HPR contributing reporter Sherry Bracken has more from Kona.

When Hawai‘i’s legislature convenes its next session in January, the state House of Representatives will have a new chair of the Agriculture Committee. Former chair Clift Tsuji of Hilo died earlier this month, and the new chair is also from Hawai‘i Island. He recently spoke to HPR contributing reporter Sherry Bracken about some of his policy priorities.

A week from Monday, Hawai‘i County will swear in a new Mayor. But until noon that day, Billy Kenoi remains the chief executive of Hawai‘i County. He spoke with HPR contributing reporter Sherry Bracken about his 8 years in office.

Since 2009, the current administration has completed more than 160 major projects on Hawai'i Island. That’s more than 630 million dollars on roads, parks, sewers, housing—even rodeo arenas. Mayor Kenoi says he’s proud of the transformative nature of that spending.

The last time the United States put an astronaut on the moon, Richard Nixon was president and Elvis Presley played a concert in Honolulu. That was 1972—and while moon shots are part of history, a mission to Mars is still in the future. NASA is working on it—and Hawai‘i Island is playing a role. HPR contributing reporter Sherry Bracken has more on the story from Kona.

Five time space shuttle astronaut Jeff Hoffman once helped repair the Hubble Telescope in space. Now he’s spending some time at Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park….representing NASA.

Over the last couple of weeks, we’ve been taking a closer look at some of the candidates and issues involved in Hawai‘i County’s mayoral race. As Saturday’s election nears, we bring you the story of Marlene Hapai. As HPR’s Sherry Bracken explains, this candidate’s background does not include time in local government or politics.

Hawai'i County has a contentious race for Mayor, with 13 candidates running for the office. Between now and Saturday’s primary election day, we’re taking a closer look at some of the candidates and their priorities. One of the candidates has held the job before. From Kona, HPR’s Sherry Bracken reports.

While national politics are centered on the presidential race, here in Hawai‘i the attention is focused on local contests—including mayoral races. In Hawai‘i County, 13 candidates are running to succeed Mayor Billy Kenoi. We continue our reports on some of the candidates and issues with a closer look at Wally Lau, who served as the county’s Managing Director for 7 years. Sherry Bracken has more from Kona.

Hawai'i County has a contentious race for Mayor, with 13 candidates vying for the job. Over the next couple of weeks, we’ll take a closer look at some of the candidates and their priorities. First up, former Hawai'i County Council Member Pete Hoffmann, who served Kohala in that job for 8 years. From Kona, HPR’s Sherry Bracken reports.

Tropical Storm Darby rumbled ashore Saturday afternoon on Hawaii Island. Sustained winds were 40 miles an hour, but gusts were higher--and the impacts began before the storm ever hit land. HPR's Sherry Bracken has an update from Kona.

For the twelfth day and night in a row, Hawaii County firefighters were on site overnight monitoring the Lako Street fire in West Hawaii. The 25-acre fire broke out Wednesday March 2nd, and was contained within a firebreak.

The lava front closest to Pahoa Village has now stalled and cooled, with breakouts around 3 1/2 miles upslope. With no immediate threat to homes or businesses, Hawaii County officials have reopened Pahoa Village Road. But starting last August, local residents had to prepare for lava inundation. Many moved. Every family has their story, and HPR's Sherry Bracken has one.

Hawaii County Civil Defense personnel flew over the active lava flow Tuesday afternoon and reported that active lava breakouts are around 3.3 miles above Apa'a Street. The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory has done a thermal assessment of the lower part of the lava flow sitting outside Pahoa and say the flow closest to Pahoa Village is no longer active and has cooled. But they warn that the lava flow could resume its activity.

As lava continues to move slowly towards Pahoa, costs are increasing for Hawaii County, including those for emergency services and road construction. But there's another cost: the county's long term potential for revenue. HPR's Sherry Bracken has the story.

As lava continues to threaten Pāhoa Village, Hawai'i County is facing increased costs to continue to provide access and services to lower Puna. HPR's Sherry Bracken talked about that with Mayor Billy Kenoi.

Breakouts from the main lava flow approaching Pahoa are continuing in three areas. While the front itself remains stalled, its future path remains uncertain. When it became clear in August that lava from Pu'u 'O'o Vent was heading towards Pahoa Village, it surprised many residents. But local geologists were not shocked, including one who spoke with HPR's Sherry Bracken.

As the lava flow from Kīlauea’s Pu’u ‘O’o Vent continues to creep through Puna just outside of Pahoa, Hawai'i County officials are facing a series of decisions. A major one concerns roads. HPR's Sherry Bracken has that part of the story.

Crews on the Big Island of Hawaii are on track to complete work on the Chain of Craters Road through Hawaii Volcanoes National Park later this year. Last week, officials at the National Park said "significant progress" has been made on the project. But plans to control access are stirring some controversy. HPR's Sherry Bracken reports.

As the lava flow has been creeping through Puna, some have expressed concern about the potential for rising crime rates in the areas affected by lava. Police do have concerns, but not in Puna. HPR’s Sherry Bracken talked with police to find out more.

Hawaii County Civil Defense teams are still going door to door in Pahoa. They're working with volunteers and talking with residents as the lava continues its slow movement. Those volunteers have their own stories, and Sherry Bracken brings us one of them.

As the lava continues to stop, start, and creep towards homes and towards Pahoa Village, families are dealing with the uncertainty of its path. And for many, it's not just a matter of personal property, it's a matter of family history. HPR's Sherry Bracken brings us one story that stretches across generations.

As lava moves into Pahoa Village, Hawaii County Civil Defense and the Community Emergency Response Teams have been going door to door to talk with residents and ensure they are ready to evacuate. HPR's Sherry Bracken has the story of one couple who had that conversation.

As lava continues to snake through the Pāhoa area, most local residents are feeling anxious. And the adults in a family need to address not only their own concerns but also the fears of their keiki. HPR’s Sherry Bracken today brings us the second part of her conversation with a Hilo psychologist.